Device for fluid sampling

ABSTRACT

The disclosure is directed to a device for fluid sampling. The device may have two panels that are or may be adhered, attached or otherwise connected to opposite sides of a sampling bag having flexible walls. The panels may be used for conveniently inflating or deflating the sampling bag and obtaining fluid samples.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent applications claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/305,001 filed on Feb. 16,2010 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention is directed to sampling of fluidsand more particularly to air sampling with containers with flexiblewalls, referred to as sampling bags. Further, embodiments of thesampling bag may comprise panel attached to the exterior of the samplingbags. The panels may further comprise a handle configured to allow thesampling bags to be inflated and deflated by hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional containers for fluids may have rigid walls or flexiblewalls. Containers with rigid walls have a defined permanent volume forcontaining fluids and containers with flexible walls have variable orchangeable volumes. Conventional containers include, but are not limitedto, bottles, canisters and bags. Such containers may be used for avariety of purposes, including obtaining and holding fluid samples andcontaining standard gas mixtures that may be used for calibration ofanalytical instruments. As used herein, the term “fluid” includes gasesand/or liquids. There are many configurations of such containers thathave been developed and specialized for particular uses.

Gas mixtures under pressure are effective for preparing standard fluidmixtures in industrial quantities and preferably with comparably highconcentration of one (or more) components in a carrier fluid. Gasmixtures under high pressure are typically stored in containers withrigid walls. For laboratory use, such gas mixtures may be diluted withadditional carrier fluid to a desired concentration of a specificcomponent in order to prepare a standard mixture. Conventionalcontainers for transporting, preserving and use of such standardmixtures may be containers having flexible walls comprised of an inert,low-permeability material. Materials having low sorption on the wallsfor the components contained are preferred to increase the integrity ofthe mixture. Containers with flexible walls, also referred to assampling bags, are widely used for fluid sampling, air sampling andliquid sampling. Materials such as Kynar and Tedlar are widely used formaking such containers.

In order to obtain a representative sample or prepare an accuratestandard, the containers must be properly prepared prior to filling.Typically, the bags are flushed with neutral gas and subjected to highvacuum to substantially remove all the fluid from the container withstrong vacuum pumps. The bags should be purged and flushed to causedesorption of any residue and their volume should reduced tosubstantially zero. Any adsorbed residue or residual gas may contaminateany prepared fluid mixture or sample of fluid put in a poorly preparedbag.

Containers with rigid walls and flexible walls both have their ownadvantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages of containers with rigidwalls include their extremely high price and expensive maintenance; theyare bulky and, thus, their storage, transportation, and mailing costsare expensive; they have to be over pressurized when delivery of gasvapors or mixtures is needed; and completely vacuumed before used forfluid sampling.

Another drawback of sampling with containers with rigid walls is thatafter removing a portion of the sample from the container, the pressurein the canister may be reduced below atmospheric pressure and additionalcarrier gas (noble gas for example) may be added to increase thepressure back to atmospheric pressure. This process dilutes the sampleor standard and analysis requires compensation for the additionalcarrier gas.

One method of filling container with rigid walls is to create a vacuumwithin the container. The driving force to get fluid into the containeris provided by this vacuum. A small sampling pump cannot create asufficient vacuum within the container; therefore, strong specializedvacuum pumps are needed.

An alternative to the containers with rigid walls are containers withflexible walls or bags. For containers with flexible walls, two methodsof filling are known and widely used: (OSHA Technical Manual—DirectiveNumber: 08-05 (TED 01), Effective Jun. 24, 2008)

The first method comprises delivering the fluid or fluid sample, e.g.industrial ambient air, into the bag with an external pump. A schematicof this method is depicted in FIG. 8. The sampling method includes a bag40, a pump 50 powered by a battery 52, and tubing 44 connecting pump 50to bag 40. Typical personal sampling pumps are suitable for thissampling method.

Bags may be used for preparing standard fluid mixtures or for sampling.When preparing standard fluid mixtures, first the bag is filled with anappropriate measured volume of carrier fluid. The clean carrier gas isdosed with a quantity of fluid, typically, added by pump or syringe asshown in FIG. 8. When used for sampling, a sample of an environment isdelivered through the pump and tubing into the bag. The bag is thensealed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using this method withsampling bags. The disadvantages include the cost, inaccuracy, andpotential contamination from using an external pump to deliver andwithdraw the fluid mix. The contamination or inaccuracy can occur fromsorption and desorption of some chemicals or components of gas mixtureor sample on the walls of the tubes, internal part of the pumps,filters, tubing and connectors. The same problem is caused by sorptionof chemical components on the walls of the sampling bag. Even withcleaned walls, active adsorbing sites on the walls can reduce theconcentration of certain chemicals when the sample gas is subsequentlyremoved and analyzed. This adsorption may decrease the recovery ofcertain chemical compounds up to 15%. The recovery rates of this methodcan be improved with the use of expensive stationary pumps andconnection tubes, especially for sampling of trace components.

These methods may also be improved by using a different configuration ofpump and the sampling bag. In this configuration shown in FIG. 9, theflexible sampling bag 40 is hermetically sealed within an outercontainer 60 with rigid walls. The air from the outer container isevacuated through tubing 44 by a pump 50. The pump may be powered bybattery 52. As the pressure in the outer container 60 is reduced and bag40 expands and air from the surrounding environment enters the bag 40.Thus the vacuum outside of the bag 40 and within the container 60 is adriving force for fluid sampling. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, theinlet of a sampling bag is connected directly with the ambient fluid.This method does not suffer from one of the major drawbacks of theconfiguration shown in FIG. 8. The sample taken in the configuration ofFIG. 9 does not contact the pump 50 or tubing 44, therefore, there is nosorption or cross-contamination from the walls of the tubing 44,connectors, filter or parts of the sampling pump 50. The other drawbacksof the configuration of FIG. 8 are, however, still persisting in thealternative configuration of FIG. 9, for example, the components isbulky and heavy; the equipment is expensive; the pump requires a batteryand frequent maintenance; the sorption on the walls of the bag is thesame as described above.

Various embodiments of these methods are described United Statespatents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,474 to Hasselman describes asystem in which a sample and an inert gas are drawn into a sample bagwithin a hermetically sealed container. U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,946 to D'Alodescribes improvements in the construction of the outer container. U.S.Pat. No. 5,437,201 to Krueger describes a method of repeatedly purgingthe sampling bag within the outer container. More sophisticated devicesare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,696 to Yemans. The devices attemptto overcome the disadvantages of the system to obtain samples with verylow contamination levels. U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,282 to Gilbert describesan apparatus for collection of liquids proves the versatility of thisapproach. More recently U.S. Pat. No. 6,993,985 to Srebro describesusing the apparatus combined in single device yet connected to externalvacuum source. Despite of cleanliness suggested by this method, it isusing comparably heavy, bulky and expensive equipment requiringcalibration and battery maintenance.

An attempt to avoid using pumps in the sampling process is disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 4,546,659 to Gill et al. This patent discloses a small (10ml) envelope for the collection of atmospheric air samples forsubsequent analysis. The envelope is formed of first and second opposedpanels of flexible, gas impermeable material which are peripherallysealed to define a collection chamber. The envelope contains expandablemeans such as a spiral spring or foam. The expandable means transferforce to the walls via guard plate and large septum. These envelopeshave several disadvantages. For example, the expandable means in contactwith the sampled fluid increases the potential for adsorption by theinner elements, i.e. the spring or, especially, any foam. Further, theexpandable means prevents full evacuation of the contents of theenvelope. This large surface area for absorption allows only highconcentrations of chemical compounds to be sampled with acceptablerecovery and accuracy. Further, the envelope cannot be reused, becausethe sampling volume would need to be purged several times to clean theenvelope, however, the self sealing septum of the envelope does notallow such a procedure.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that allows use of samplingbags without external hand or electric pumps and without connectingtubes. There is also a need for a device capable of fast grab samplingand fast consecutive strokes/flushes of the sampling bag, thereby toallow sorption equilibrium on the bag's walls. There is a further needfor a device that simplifies sampling such that personnel with minimaltraining may properly use and perform industrial hygiene sampling. Thereis a further need for such a device that is inexpensive, easy tomanufacture, designed for multiple use, may be used with both samplingbags specially designed and conventional sampling bags, light, notbulky, hand or self operated and easy to transport, and/or intrinsicallysafe in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device forfilling and emptying sampling bags. Embodiments of the device comprisemechanical means to expand the sampling bag thereby creating a reducedpressure inside the sampling bag relative to the environment to besampled. The expansion of the sampling bag creates the driving force fora fluid to be sampled to fill the bag. Embodiments of the device mayutilize conventional sampling bags or sampling bags specially designedfor embodiments of the device.

Embodiments of the device allowing relatively fast grab sampling andconvenient flushing for achieving on-the-wall equilibrium of the sampledair contaminant. Further embodiments of the device may be used withsampling bags for a sampling system which permits sampling without anyadditional devices such as pumps and tubing. Additional embodiments ofthe device comprise flaps capable of being folded to form a box forstorage, shipping and/or transportation of the sampled bag. Furtherembodiments of the device may be used for self sampling.

According to the present invention an embodiment of the sampling deviceis intended for the same uses as conventional market available samplingbags. Embodiments of the device comprise two surfaces. Each surface ofthe device may be attached to opposite sides of a sampling bag. In oneembodiment, the sampling device comprises substantially rectangularhinged panels, wherein each panel has an inner surface capable ofadhering, attaching or otherwise connecting to one side of samplingbag's outer surface. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the panelis removably adhered to the walls of the sampling bag, however, incertain other embodiments the sampling device may be integral orincorporated directly into the sampling bag.

The two opposite side walls of the sampling bag are temporarily engagedwith means of engagement mounted on the panels of the clamp. When theclamps are closed, the bag is squeezed substantially to zero volume and,when the clamps are opened, the walls are pulled apart creating amoderate underpressure or a vacuum within the sampling bag. If thesampling bag is opened to the atmosphere, the expansion of the samplingbag allows air to be drawn into the inner space of the sample bag. Inany embodiment, the panels may have handles; for convenience.

In another embodiment, the sampling device comprises two panels, whereinthe inner surfaces of the panels are hinged such that the inner surfacesare substantially parallel or close to parallel during the sampling. Aparallel relationship will allow maximum expansion of a typicalconventional sampling bag, however, embodiments of the sampling devicemay comprise panels with inner surfaces that are not parallel duringsampling or embodiments of the sampling device may comprise panels thatare only parallel when the device is in the closed position tofacilitate evacuation of the sample bag.

The walls of the sampling bag may be sufficiently adhered, attached, orotherwise connected to the panels of the sampling device such thatbiasing the panels away from each other causes the sampling bag toinflate during the sampling process. In embodiments of the samplingdevice in which the surface of the panel is temporarily or removableadhered to the wall of the sampling bag, the adhering forces between thepanels and bag's walls should to be stronger than the opposing forcethat are created by the reduction of pressure with the sampling bag. Thereduction in pressure will depend upon various forces including, but notlimited to, the size of the inlet, the density of the fluid, the forceapplied to the panels, for example. In embodiments of the samplingdevice designed for use by hand, the operator can control the pullingforces and/or speed on the clamp panels in order to perform sampling andkeeping the bag walls attached to the clamp panels during sampling. Forexample, the adhering forces between the panels and bag's walls may beprovided by one of the following means:

Temporary adhesives, for example, at least a portion of the each of thepanels may be temporarily adhered to part of opposite walls of thesampling bag;

Vacuum suction cups situated on the inner surfaces of the panels;

Hook and loop connecters, wherein one part or either the hook or loop isattached on the inner surface of the panels and opposite part is adheredto the bag's walls;

Temporary or permanent adhesive sprays;

Water soluble adhesives such as, but not limited to, thermoplastic watersoluble adhesives;

mechanical connectors;

Pressure sensitive adhesives; and

Magnetic materials (for example, magnetic foils) on both contactingsurfaces, on the panels and on the bag's surfaces. Magnetic foils may bepermanently or temporarily adhered to panel's surfaces and to the wallsof the flexible sampling bags, for example, by double adhesivepermanently (on specially designed bags) or immediately before use (withtypically available sampling bags, for example.).

Any means for adhering, attaching or otherwise connecting the samplingbag to the surface of the panel should be sufficient to keep the bag'swalls attached to create a reasonable motive force to drive air into thebag when the panels are moved away from each other. In certainembodiments, the sampling device may comprise substantially rigidpanels. As used herein, “substantially rigid” means that the panels maybe pulled apart to without sufficient deflation to inflate a samplingbag and pushed together to substantially empty the sampling bag.

Another embodiment of the sampling device comprises a sampling bag withat least one slot or channel incorporated into or on the flexible wallsof the sampling bag for mechanically attaching the sampling device tothe sampling bag. The sampling device may comprise at least one tab ortine for inserting into the slot or channel of the sampling bag. Inother embodiments, the sampling device may comprise adhesive patches orlabels that comprise at least one slot or channel. The adhesive patch orlabel may then be attached to a sampling bag thus providing at least oneslot or channel on the sampling bag for connecting to the samplingdevice. For example, the patch or label may comprise a corrugatedportion a patch or label may then be adhered on each side of thesampling bag. In this embodiment, the corrugated portion defineschannels and the sampling device may comprise a series of tines withsimilar pitch or spacing between teeth to correspond with thecorrugation. Before use of the sampling bag, the teeth of the fork mayengage the corrugated patches or label and transfer pulling or inflatingforces to the bag's walls when panels are biased apart.

Embodiments of the sampling device may also be configured as a selfsampling device. Embodiments of the self-sampling device comprise meansfor biasing the walls of sampling bag. For example, an embodiment of theself sampling device may comprise two rectangular panels with accurateshape. In this embodiment, the panels when placed adjacent to each othermay substantially resemble the wall of a cylinder. The two panels may bein any shape that may be pushed together to be in a substantiallyparallel position, then the means for biasing may open and inflate thesampling bag. In certain embodiments, the panels of the self samplingdevice comprise a material with shape memory to bias the sampling bagwalls apart. In other embodiments the self sampling device may compriseflat panels and a spring, coil spring, leaf spring, pneumatic cylinders,or other biasing means for exerting springing forces to bias the panelsaway from each other.

In the embodiments of the panels comprising a material with a shapememory, the sampling device may comprise two panels in hinged connectionon one end. The other end of the panels may be hinged, not hinged,connected or may be unconnected. A cross-section of such an embodimentmay resemble a substantially circular or oval shape or semi circular orsemi oval shape. In some embodiments, at least a central portion of thepanels has a means for temporary engagement of the bag's side walls.When a force is applied, the two panels are pressed close to each othertoward a substantially flat shape. After removing the force, the biasingmeans, elastic forces or shape memory of the panels tend to return thepanels to their original cross-sectional shape. Once the walls of thesampling bag are pressed together by a biasing force on to the panels,the panels will then bias the bag's walls apart creating moderateunderpressure and, thereby, creating sufficient driving force for fluidto enter the bag.

In certain embodiments of the self sampling device, the surface area ofthe panels when pressed together is sufficiently larger than the outersurface area of the sampling bag. Further, one end of the panels may bemade detachably hinged to the other panel allowing the bag to be removedafter being loaded with sampled fluid.

Another embodiment of the self-sampling device may comprise springbiased panels that may be are connected on one side with a hinge and theother side capable of being separated by a biasing force, such as by abiasing means, as described, or by hand. As such, devices may comprisetwo panels having two opposite sides connected by hinges or acombination such one side comprising a hinge and the other sidecomprising a spring, or both sides comprising a spring.

An embodiment of the sampling device comprising hinged panels, an inletport and a biasing means for self sampling may be further envisioned aslong term sampling system. For long term sampling the inlet port may bedesigned or have connected to the inlet port a controllable aerodynamicresistance tube or restriction. For such a design the maximum flow ratedrawn into the bag may be a controlled and a reliable, substantiallyrepeatable volume may be drawn over a sampling period to providereproducible sampling.

Another embodiment of the sampling device comprises a sampling baghaving permanently mounted panels of a semi-rigid material on bothsides. In a typical embodiment, the shape of the panels is substantiallyrectangular (though the panels may be any shape) and their size mayslightly bigger than the size of flattened bag (though the panels may beany size that is capable of inflating and substantially deflating thesample bag).

In a specific embodiment, at least a central portion of each of thepanels is permanently adhered to the flexible sampling bag's sides withan appropriate adhesive. The size of the adhered spot may beapproximately ⅓ of the surface area one bag wall but may vary asdesired. The panels may comprise means for biasing the panels away fromeach other, handles of soft material and/or may have precut foldable andretractable handles. The panels may further comprise foldable extensionscapable of forming a box construction. The extensions may be folded toform a box to allow convenient storage, transportation and/or mailing ofthe bag. The extensions may carry strips of adhesive materialconstruction capable of stabilizing the box.

Other aspects and features of embodiments of the device for fluidhandling will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art,upon reviewing the following description of specific, exemplaryembodiments of the present invention in concert with the figures. Whilefeatures may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures,all embodiments can include one or more of the features discussedherein. While one or more particular embodiments may be discussed hereinas having certain advantageous features, each of such features may alsobe integrated into various other of the embodiments of the invention(except to the extent that such integration is incompatible with otherfeatures thereof) discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplaryembodiments may be discussed below as system or method embodiments it isto be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented invarious systems and methods. Further, U.S. patent application entitled“CONTAINERS FOR FLUIDS WITH COMPOSITE AGILE WALLS” filed on Feb. 16,2011 in the name of the same inventors is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Simple two part clamp with sticking means on the inner surface inthree positions: 1-A flat bag—start; 1-B partially loaded; 1-Ccompletely loaded bag

FIG. 2 Clamp with additional plate, tending to keep the opposite wallsof the sampling bag parallel to each other partially loaded

FIG. 3 Self opening cylindrical clamp attached to the sampling bag: 3-Aside view; 3-B perspective view

FIG. 4 Air sampling bags with approximately same internal samplingvolume 4-A filed by pressure via pump; 4-B air sampling bag with sideplates loaded by stretching the side walls with means attached tothem—handles or stretching clamps engaging corrugated material

FIG. 5 Device upon invention with side assembled panels: 5-A device uponinvention—sampling bag with mounted on both sides rigid flexiblesurfaces and foldable handles; 5-B device and the way to engage bothhandles from each side by hand

FIG. 6 Process of sampling by mowing away the side surfaces: 6-A startpooling—the inlet is open and air is sucked in; 6-B the bag iscompletely loaded and the inlet have to be closed

FIG. 7 Loading the sampling bag with closed handles: 7-A handles arereceded in and inlet is closed; 7-B two opposite edges of the flexiblebag's sides are pressed to be taped for mailing or storing

FIG. 8 Process of grab sampling—several strokes of loading and emptyingthe sampling bag to purge it completely before final sampling stroke

FIG. 9 Sampling bag with two extended and foldable surfaces capable offorming a box for mailing after sampling

FIG. 10 State of the art sampling schematics: 10-A sampling pump filinga sampling bag; 10-B sampling pump puling air from hermetic boxcontaining sampling bag.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the sampling device comprise two panels capable ofassisting with inflating and deflating the sampling or other bag. Oneembodiment of the sampling device is shown on FIG. 1, the samplingdevice 10 comprises an top panel 11 and a bottom panel 13. In thisembodiment, the top panel 11 and bottom panel 13 have a substantiallyrectangular shape and area sufficient to cover a substantial portion ofthe surface of the sampling bag 40. The top panel 11 and bottom panel 13have one of their ends rotatably attached with a hinged connection 16.The other ends of the top panel 11 and bottom panel 13 are shaped ashandles 19 for easy operation by hands. Other embodiments of thesampling device may comprise panels having other handle designs. Theinner surface of the rotatably connected top panel 11 and bottom panel13 at least partially comprises an adhering means 30 capable of at leasttemporary adhesion to one surface of the sampling bag 40. The materialfor adhering means 30 may be selected from one of the group including,but not limited to; a permanent adhesive, a temporary adhesive, amultitude of mini vacuuming cups suction capable do adhering to materialwith smooth surface such as sampling bag 40 wall surface and attached tothe panels; a flat magnetic material mounted on top panel 11 and bottompanel 13 and on both side walls of the sampling bag 40, as well as otheradhesives or connectors or combinations of such adhesives andconnectors. The shape and the size of panels of embodiments of thesampling device may be any shapes and/or sizes desirable to match orconform to the shape and size of a sampling bag. For example, thesurface area of the panels 11 and 13 may be slightly larger than thesurface area of the sampling bag. The panel may or many not correspondwith the contour of the sampling bias bag, nevertheless a panel with asmaller surface than the sampling bag may also be used, for example, thepanels may be smaller if the bag is previously flattened by vacuuming orfolding the sampling bag or if the sampling bag has sufficiently stiffor rigid walls. As used herein, the volume of a fully or substantiallydeflated sampling bag is less than 5% of the fully inflated volume. Thisremaining volume is substantially negligible once the bag is clean,sufficiently purged, or pre-cleaned before use (as in standard samplingprocedure for reuse of sampling bags).

The positioning of the adhering means in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is acontacting line. The adhering means of this embodiment takes much lessarea of the panels compared to the total panel surface and the samplingbag surface because in the inflated/loaded position the contact areabetween the bag 40 and the top panel 11 and bottom panel 13 is smallerthan in the flattened position. In a general case, this area may be inthe range of approximately ⅓ from the total area of the side wall of theflattened sampling bag 40, for example.

In FIG. 2, a further embodiment of the sampling device is shown.Sampling device 10 of FIG. 2 comprises an additional connecting plate 18with a hinged connection 17 to the top panel 11 in order to staysomewhat parallel to the bottom panel 13. For certain shaped bags, asampling device with a hinged connection 17 may result in more completeloading and/or unloading of the sampling bag 40. The contacting surfaceson the top additional plate 18 as well as bottom panel 13 comprise anadhering means. The embodiments of the sampling device shown in FIGS. 1and 2 may be used with conventional or standard sampling bags orspecially designed sampling bags.

Embodiments of the sampling device may comprise removable and/orchangeable panels or a set of removable and/or changeable panels. Thepanels in the set may be of different size, shape, or include adifferent adhesive. For example, an embodiment may include a kit ofmultiple sized panels so the panel may be changed to be more compatiblewith the size of the desired sampling bag. For example, a smaller panelmay be removed and replaced with a panel comprising a larger surfacearea than the surface area of the sampling bags flexible wall. Theembodiments of the sampling devices shown on FIGS. 1 and 2 may be movedaway from each other not only by the hands of operator but by otherbiasing means such as, (but not limited to weights, springs, an electricmotor, or other biasing mechanisms as described).

In FIG. 3, another embodiment of the sampling device is shown. Thesampling device 10 of FIG. 3 comprises two panels—top panel 12 andbottom panel 14 made from a flexible material with shape memory.Embodiments of the invention may have a cross-sectional shape in thegeneral shape of a cylinder, oval, a portion of a circle, or a portionof an oval. The flexible material for those panels may be selected froma group including, but not limited to plastics, polycarbonates, nylon,polyester, multilayer composite plastics, metals, aluminum, stainlesssteel alloys, steel alloys, brass and bronze alloys. The top panel 12and bottom panel 14 may have one or two sides pivotally connected.Certain embodiments of the sampling device comprise a panel having oneend pivotally connected to the panel and the other end of the panelcomprising a releasably hinged connection. For example, the releasablehinged connection may comprise a pin that may be inserted to make thehinged connection and removed to release the hinged connection. In otherembodiments, both ends of top panel 12 and bottom panel 14 may beunconnected or comprise a hinged releasable connection. Each top panel12 and bottom 14 may be connected to the sample bag as the alreadydiscussed with embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The sampling bag 40 of FIG. 3 may be flattened in the cavity formedbetween top panel 12 and bottom panel 14 when the panels are forced byhands or other biasing force to be substantially flat. In someembodiments, the force may be used to simultaneously connect thesampling bag to the top panel 12 and/or the bottom panel 14 adheringmeans 30 and compress, deflate or flatten the sampling bag. To performsampling, the inlet cap or sampling valve 60, FIG. 3-B, is opened andthe external force is removed. At that point, the elastic, or shapememory, or other biasing forces on the panels pull the sampling bagwalls into an inflated or open position. These biasing forces createinitially a small space with underpressure. This underpressure relativeto the environment is the driving force for the fluid to pass throughthe inlet or valve 60 and begin to inflate the bag. The top panel andbottom panels continue to move apart and then stops as the bag isfilled. The volume of the sampling bag may be limited by a mechanicalstop such as a plastic strip or similar stop, the fully separatedposition of the shape memory panels 12 and 14, the length or shape ofthe biasing means, or other mechanical limitation of the sampling bag orsampling device. The device thus provides a self sampling device thatmay be filled over an extended period or cycle and the sampling time forthis cycle is limited mainly by the biasing forces and the aerodynamicresistance and/or flow of fluid through the inlet port or valve 60. Asthe valve may switched between different aerodynamic resistances, thesampling time may varied between short sampling periods to long samplingperiods. The sampling time may be controlled by the biasing means of thepanels and/or the sampling inlet or design of valve to vary from veryshort time, (grab sample) to 15, 30 min, 1 hour, 8 hours, or days, orother desired sample time.

Compared to the prior art systems used to fill the bag for shortsampling or for extended period sampling shown in FIG. 10, the devicesupon present invention are much lighter, simpler and less expensive.

A still further embodiment of the sampling device is shown in FIG. 4-B.This embodiment of the sampling device 40 comprises a top panel 34 thathas a surface area that is smaller than the surface area of the wall ofthe sampling bag. In some embodiments the sampling device may have apanel 34 that is merely sufficient for attaching handle 19 to thesampling bag 40. In other embodiments, the handle 19 may be directlyattached to the sampling bag. In this design, the bags may be deflatedby connecting inlet 60 to a vacuum source, for example. The bag may thenbe conveniently stored in a deflated state until needed. The samplingdevice may then be used to obtain a sample by simply opening inlet 60and pulling the handle 19 or handles 19, if applicable. Such anembodiment gives the sampling bag unique properties to be stored insmall space and when needed for sampling purposes may be easily usedwithout any other apparatus and complicated system with tubing, etc.

In certain embodiments of the sampling device, the panels 34 may be madefrom corrugated material having inside channels which may be engaged byfork-like means as discussed per FIGS. 1 and 2. A still furtherembodiment of the sampling device is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Thesampling bag may be flattened between the two panels 36 as shown on FIG.5-A. In the panels 36 foldable handles are precut and can be easilymoved up as shown on FIG. 5-A and then engaged by hands as shown in FIG.5-B. For grab sampling the inlet 60 may be completely opened andsampling bag 40 can be filled by pulling handles 19 until the bag isappropriately filled with the targeted fluid as shown on FIG. 6 —6-A and6-B. Then the handles 19 may be folded flat as shown on FIG. 7-A andboth sides can be pushed towards each other shown on FIG. 7-B and edgesfixed with tape, clips or other means to ease insertion in an envelopefor storage or shipping. Embodiments of the sampling bag may includesuch panels incorporated directly into the walls of the sampling bag.

For grab sampling, as previously mentioned, the bag may be flushedseveral times in by inflating and deflating the sampling bag as shown onFIG. 8 until the inside volume is purged and the inside walls aresubstantially at equilibrium with the targeted substances in the sampledfluid. This will gives the sampling device the unique feature ofachieving almost 100% recovery, compare to 85-90% with one only samplingsuction from prior art devices.

Another embodiment is depicted in FIG. 9 demonstrates the versatility ofthe concept allowing the extensions of side panels 36 to be used aftersampling to form a rigid wall box convenient for prolonged storage ormailing of the sample.

Embodiments of the devices upon present invention have many uniquefeatures as compared to conventional sampling bags and methods,embodiments of the sampling bag have some or all of the followingfeatures:

-   -   No pumps of any type are required to expel or to fill fluids        into sampling bags;    -   No battery charging and maintenance;    -   No pump calibration;    -   Extreme simplicity of operation—no requirement of special        instruction or qualification;    -   Inexpensive sampling process;    -   Low cost of manufacturing;    -   Higher recovery when sampling, close to 100%;    -   Substantially no sorption on the walls of external lines or        inside pumps;    -   Substantially no cross-contamination;    -   Substantially all of the sampled volume is usable;    -   Convenient for sampling;    -   Allows self sampling for extended sampling times;    -   Easily portable sampling system;    -   Even loaded the sampling devices are portable and easy to mail;        and    -   The devices are intrinsically safe and provide intrinsically        safe sampling.

The embodiments of the described methods and device for fluid samplingare not limited to the particular embodiments, method steps, andmaterials disclosed herein as such formulations, process steps, andmaterials may vary somewhat. Moreover, the terminology employed hereinis used for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments only and theterminology is not intended to be limiting since the scope of thevarious embodiments of the present invention will be limited only by theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

Therefore, while embodiments of the invention are described withreference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art willunderstand that variations and modifications can be effected within thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly,the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention should notbe limited to the above discussed embodiments, and should only bedefined by the following claims and all equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A sampling device, comprising: a samplingbag for sampling fluids comprising at least two flexible walls definingan internal sampling volume and an inlet port defined by one of the twoflexible walls providing communication between the ambient fluid to besampled and the internal sampling volume; a top substantially rigidpanel connected to one of the flexible walls on a first side of thesampling bag; and a bottom substantially rigid panel connected to theother of the flexible walls on a side opposite of the first side of thesampling bag, wherein the panels may be biased apart to inflate thesampling bag through the inlet and biased toward each other tosubstantially deflate the sample bag through the inlet.
 2. The samplingdevice of claim 1, wherein the top substantially rigid panel and thebottom substantially rigid panel rotatably attached with a hingedarrangement at one end.
 3. The sampling device of claim 2, wherein eachof the substantially rigid panels comprise an handle portion for biasingthe panels for inflating or deflating the sample bag, wherein the handleportion is located on an end of the substantially rigid panel that isopposite the end of the substantially rigid panel comprising the hingedarrangement.
 4. The sampling device of any of claim 1 or 2, wherein thetwo panels are releasable connected to the flexible walls of a samplingbag such that the sampling bag may be removed from the top substantiallyrigid panel and bottom substantially rigid panel without damaging thesampling bag.
 5. The sampling device of any of claim 1 or 2, wherein thetwo substantially rigid panels are permanently connected to the flexiblewalls of a sampling bag.
 6. The sampling device of claim 5, wherein thepanels are incorporated into the walls of the sampling bag.
 7. Thesampling device of claim 1, comprising a hinged arrangement, wherein thehinged arrangement is capable of maintaining the panels in asubstantially parallel relationship as the panels moved apart.
 8. Thesampling device of claim 1, wherein the sampling bag has an outersurface area and a surface area of the top substantially rigid panel anda surface area of the bottom substantially rigid panel is larger thanthe outer surface area of the sampling bag.
 9. The sampling device ofclaim 1, comprising: a top handle attached to the top substantiallyrigid panel; and a bottom handle attached to the bottom substantiallyrigid panel.
 10. The sampling device of claim 9, wherein the top handleis a precut foldable and retractable handle and the bottom handle is aprecut foldable and retractable handle.
 11. The sampling device of claim1, wherein the sampling bag is sealed on all for seams and the inletport is defined by one of the two flexible walls.
 12. The samplingdevice of claim 1, wherein a controllable aerodynamic resistance tube orrestriction is connected to the inlet port.
 13. The sampling device ofclaim 1, wherein the inlet port comprises a valve.
 14. A samplingdevice, comprising: a sampling bag for sampling fluids comprising atleast two flexible walls defining an internal sampling volume and aninlet port providing communication between the ambient fluid to besampled and the internal sampling volume; a first panel having a shapememory and the first panel comprising means for adhering the walls ofthe sampling bag to the first panel; and a second panel having a shapememory and the second panel comprising means for adhering the walls ofthe sampling bag to the second panels; wherein the first panel and thesecond panel are hingedly connected.
 15. A sampling device, comprising:two substantially rigid panels; and means for adhering the walls of asampling bag to the panels, wherein a flexible wall of the sampling baghas an outer surface area and a surface area of the one of the twosubstantially rigid panels has a surface area larger than the outersurface area of the flexible wall.
 16. The sampling device of claim 15,wherein the rigid panels are connected together in a hinged arrangementat one end.
 17. The sampling device of any of claim 15 or 16, whereinthe means for adhering are means for releasably adhering.
 18. Thesampling device of claim 17, wherein the means for releasably adheringis any means for adhering the sampling bag to the surface of the panelsufficiently to keep the bag's walls adhered to create enough motiveforce to drive air into the bag when the panels are moved away.
 19. Thesampling device of claim 17, wherein the means for releasably adheringis selected from the group comprising temporary adhesive spots stickingto part of the opposite walls of the sampling bag; vacuum suction minicups situated on the inner surfaces of the panels; velcro-type stickerspermanently attached on the inner surface of the panels and eithertemporarily or permanently adhered to the bag's walls; adhesive sprays;water soluble adhesives such as, but not limited to, thermoplastic watersoluble adhesives; pressure sensitive adhesives; magnetic flat materialssuch as, but not limited to magnetic foils; double adhesive tapes; otherreleasable chemical or mechanical adhesives; or combinations of these.20. The sampling device of claim 15, wherein at least one panelcomprises a handle.
 21. The sampling device of claim 15, wherein eachpanel comprises a handle.